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My (slow post) early access Snakemen arrived this morning. No sign of (slow post) sub Snake Face as of yet. It would be very strange if the $54 item made it through customs-free and the $25 one was caught!

Is anyone going to switch to the DHL shipping option this month. I figure we're going to get stung whichever option, and the DHL shipping is actually cheaper than International Post for these items. Just wondering how much of a pain it will be changing for just one month then switching back!?

Is anyone going to switch to the DHL shipping option this month. I figure we're going to get stung whichever option, and the DHL shipping is actually cheaper than International Post for these items. Just wondering how much of a pain it will be changing for just one month then switching back!?

How much will each option be?

"Skeletor to King Randor, Skeletor to King Randor, come in you Royal Boob!"

Just looking on Matty site about changing May to DHL express...$28.65 DHL Express (24 hour delivery) or $30.15 (3 weeks). If it will get hit with customs...which it will be a value of $100 - I think it is going to have customs...then DHL express will be almost $2 cheaper shipping and $2 on customs fee and faster.

INFO : Canada Post now charges $9.95 to process customs on a package...DHL is still cheapest ($7.95)

Is anyone going to switch to the DHL shipping option this month. I figure we're going to get stung whichever option, and the DHL shipping is actually cheaper than International Post for these items. Just wondering how much of a pain it will be changing for just one month then switching back!?

While the DHL method will be quicker and cheaper I'm a bit reluctant to changeover just for the month - I'm scared it will likely cause more problems in the long run.

Please help me decide if I should switch from International Post to DHL!

Right! Snake-Face arrived this morning.
Great figure, but cost me an extra £11.30 in customs fees.
This got me thinking, if I'm paying duty on everything would it just be cheaper (or at least no more expensive) to use DHL?

So I've been tinkering with the Matty site and looking at their postage rates.
They break down as follows:

Just looking at the amount of money DHL appears more expensive. In terms of shipping, I'd be paying $163.65 in international shipping, and $234.80 through DHL. So DHL would cost me $71.15 more in postage. But that's not the whole story, as I need to take into account import duty. The 20% VAT charge is the same regardless of shipping, so I'm wondering about the handling fee.

Between May-October I'll be getting seven parcels from Matty. Assuming the cheaper £8 handling fee for each one that comes to £56 (about $87 at today's exhange rate). DHL charge a lower handling fee of £5 according to their website. That's £35 (or $54). Which leads me to the following....

CONCLUSION

Ignoring the cost of the toys and the VAT (which are the same for both shipping methods) the cost of getting parcels from Mattycollector (for me) between May and October 2013 is:

International Post: $163.65 (shipping) + $87 (handling fee) = $250.65

DHL: $234.80 (shipping) + $54 (handling fee) = $288.80

So the DHL method is $38.15 (£24.63) more expensive than International Post over the next six months.

Now £4 per month extra doesn't sound a lot to me, and I would have the benefit of tracked parcels and faster delivery times.... My question, for those of you who have had the patience to read this far is: have I missed anything? Any other factors I haven't taken into account?

Right! Snake-Face arrived this morning.
Great figure, but cost me an extra £11.30 in customs fees.
This got me thinking, if I'm paying duty on everything would it just be cheaper (or at least no more expensive) to use DHL?

So I've been tinkering with the Matty site and looking at their postage rates.
They break down as follows:

Just looking at the amount of money DHL appears more expensive. In terms of shipping, I'd be paying $163.65 in international shipping, and $234.80 through DHL. So DHL would cost me $71.15 more in postage. But that's not the whole story, as I need to take into account import duty. The 20% VAT charge is the same regardless of shipping, so I'm wondering about the handling fee.

Between May-October I'll be getting seven parcels from Matty. Assuming the cheaper £8 handling fee for each one that comes to £56 (about $87 at today's exhange rate). DHL charge a lower handling fee of £5 according to their website. That's £35 (or $54). Which leads me to the following....

CONCLUSION

Ignoring the cost of the toys and the VAT (which are the same for both shipping methods) the cost of getting parcels from Mattycollector (for me) between May and October 2013 is:

International Post: $163.65 (shipping) + $87 (handling fee) = $250.65

DHL: $234.80 (shipping) + $54 (handling fee) = $288.80

So the DHL method is $38.15 (£24.63) more expensive than International Post over the next six months.

Now £4 per month extra doesn't sound a lot to me, and I would have the benefit of tracked parcels and faster delivery times.... My question, for those of you who have had the patience to read this far is: have I missed anything? Any other factors I haven't taken into account?

I'd appreciate any advice!

I don't think you've missed anything. I was considering switching to DHL too, and after seeing your breakdown, I think I will. Thanks, it was muchos helpful :-)

- - - Updated - - -

How many days does it usually take to reach us if we use the DHL method?

- - - Updated - - -

Just checked the Matty page, and in order for us to change the shipping method, we have to call Matty, I'm counting the number of ways that can go wrong. They'll probably end up cancelling my sub or something. I think I'll just keep t as International post.

"Skeletor to King Randor, Skeletor to King Randor, come in you Royal Boob!"

I don't think you've missed anything. I was considering switching to DHL too, and after seeing your breakdown, I think I will. Thanks, it was muchos helpful :-)

You're welcome!

Just checked the Matty page, and in order for us to change the shipping method, we have to call Matty, I'm counting the number of ways that can go wrong. They'll probably end up cancelling my sub or something. I think I'll just keep t as International post.

I was going to try with an email to begin with. I don't really fancy phoning them.